Range finder



Feb., 17,

1,526,538 H.- c. FORD y I .RANGE FINDER Filed Dc. 1, 19-15 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Febn 17, 1925. 1,526,538

H. c. FORD RANGE FINDER Filed Dec. 1, 1915 4 sheets-sheet s g nl @Moana 13 s H. C. FORD RANGE FINDER wb, M 1925,

Filed Dec. 1, 1915 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. l?, i025 tatiana i HANNIBAL C. FORD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSEGNOE, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FORD INSTRUMENT COMPANY, ENC., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

nanos Finnen.

Application led December To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that il, HANNIBAL C. FORD, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at the city otNew York, in the borough of Queens and 'State of New York, have mrented 'certain new and useful improvements inltange Finders, ot which the following isa full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to range finders of the character used on war vessels or in fortifications for determining the range or distance from the point of observation of a hostile vessel, fortification or other target in order to ascertain the correct aim or bearing of the guns to hit the target, end relates particularly to systems for transmitting the readings of the range -tinding instrument. to an indicator at a distant point, as a receiving station. from which an observer may communicate fthe proper elevation of the guns to the gunners. In the class of range finders to which this invention relates, a ray of llight is usually deflected, by the movement of a refracting prism or otherwise in order to displace a partial image of the target formed thereby with respect to a Second partial image formed by a second ray ot light. The amount of such displacement gives a measure of the angle formed by the two light rays, from which the range ot the target may be computed or directly indicated on an appropriate scale when the length of the base subtended by such angle is known.

For a give-n base (13); i. e. the distance vbetween the two reflecting prisms. The relation lbetween the angle (A) formedby the two light rays and the range (R.) may` be expressed by the 1nverse' ratio j Ra B/A. In' general, the values 'of the y by such settings.

small increment of range at the upper end 0 ceivmg statlorr 1n step with-the movement angle and hence the movement of the mechanism used in setting the range finder vary Within wide limits throughout the scale relative to the distances or ranges measured For example, a given of the scale, say at 20,000 yards distant from the ppint of observation, requires approximately only 1/10 of the extent of movement of the setting mechanism that, would be neceary for the same increment of range in thenei hborhood of 2,000 yards.

Systems ave been heretofore proposed for indicating the movement of the angle 1, 1915. Serial No. 64,428.

measuring device at a distant point, and

this has been done by transmitting the varare relatively very small, the scale must be inconveniently lo-ng in order to be legible at the upper end, and consequently an instrument of considerable size must be used which requires a correspondingly large amount of power for operation.

Furthermore, when any step-by-step transmission system is employed with such a variably spaced scale, it is necessary to sacrifice either in the speed of transmission and indication alt the lower end of the scale or in the refinement of transmission and ,indication at the upper end of the scale; or, in other Words, when the individual steps of such transmission systems are so designed as to indicate sufiiciently small increments of range at thev upper end of the scale, such a .transmission system will transmit unduly minute increments of range at the lower endof the scale, )thereby greatly reducing the speed of transmission at this end. Step-by-step transmissions are also objectionable for such systems because of the necessity for repeatedly synchronizing the transmitting and receiving stations whenever they get out of step fromany one of a number of causes'.

An object of my invention is to obviate the difficulties and objections of the systems above referred to, and tto provide a system in which the scale is uniform. Another object is to provide. automatic means for keeping the actuating mechanism at the reof the mechanism at the range finding station, or bringing it into step therewith it" the latter gets a .lead ofthe former. VKAnother object is to provide ymeans for selectively controlling the actuating mechanism at the receiving station according to a plurality of denominations or measurements oi' range.

Other objects are simplicity and compactness of construction, and reliability in operation. Still other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description.

In accordance with my invention, I rectify the variable relation, between the angular movement and the indicated range at the range finding station and transmitonly such rectified motion which is directly proportional to the ranges indicated. More specifically, my invention comprehends an operating member at the range finding station which is operatively connected with the angle measuring device, the connection being such that the angle measuring device and operating member have differential motion, the movements of the operating member being in direct proportion to the correspending ranges, while the displacements of the angle measuring device are out of direct proportion to the correspondlng ranges.

This operatmg member controls a pluralltyV of step-by-step transmitting devices which selectively control the actuating mechanism at the receiving station. The actuating mechanism which is in the natilre of a follow-up mechanism operates a suitable indicator. Since the graduations of the scale are uniform, the scale need not be continuous, but may be subdivided into a plurality of parts or sections having av multiple relation to each other, Vand these sections may take the form of rotative dials each provided with ten digits, 0 to 9, after the manner of the well known revolution counter. This i' distant control system is also adapted for operating other advantageous forms of indicators, such as recorders for graphically laying out distances directly proportional to the ranges transmitted.

My invention comprehends various other features of construction, and arrangements and combinations of parts, as will hereinafter more fully appear.l

I shall now describe 'the embodiment of Amy invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and shall thereafter point out my invention in claims.

, Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the operating and rectifying mechanism at the range-findingstation, with the front of the casing removed;

Figure 2 is an irregular vertical section ofI the same on the line 2 2 of' Figure 1, looking toward the left;

Figure 2 is a diagram of the range finder;

Figure 3 is a view of the complete system, showing the ap aratus at the two stations in elevation, an a diagram of the electrical connection between the two;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the apparatus at the receiving station, with the front of the casing removed;

Figure 5 is a central, enlarged vertical section of one of the selector step-by-step motors;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section of the l same;

Figure 7 is a diagram of the electrical circults.

The illustrated range iinder 1 is of the well known coincidence type, of the construction shown in the patent to Barr and -Straud No. 567,675, September 15, 1896, and diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2n. It employs two light ray reflecting prisms A A located at opposite ends of the tube and transmitting the beams of light from the object viewed through objectives B B toward the eye-piece C, whereby two partial images of the object are viewed by the observer through the opening 2. A refracting prism 3 is mounted for translatory movement along one of the light rays, and this translatory movement serves to displace the partial image formed by this ray with respect to that formed by the other ray, the

translatory movement being proportionalto the angle formed at the target by the two rays. In determining the range, the refracting prism is moved until'the two partial images are brought into coincidence; and the range is then determined from the position of the mechanism used to adjust the refracting prism.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable prism 3 (see Fig. 2) is adjusted by means of a rack 3 which is engaged by a pinion 4; on the outer end of the shaft 5, connected by a universal joint to a shaft 5 on the inner end of which .is a-wormgear 6, which is operated by the operating mechanism contained in the casing 7, this casing fitting upon and being attached to the'cylindrical casing of the range finder 1, in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The worm-gear 6 cooperates with the worm 8 on one end of the drum 9, which drum is carried by a lon itudinal shaft 10 bearing at4 its ends in tie casing 7, and having an operating cra-nk wheel 11 and handle 12 fixed upon t'lie right end thereof which projects through the side wall of the casing 7. Rotation of the handle 12, therefore, serves 'to rotate the worm-gear 6 a corresponding angular distance, and to adjustthe refracting prism 3 through a corresponding translatory movement. A rotative calibrated dial 113 is driven by the worm-gear 6 through a pinion 14 fixed on the shaftV 5', which engages a gearwheel 15 on the transverse counter shaft 16, which bears in the front and rear walls of 'the casing 7, and has the dial 13 fixed upon it near its front end. The front wall of the casing 7 has a window 17 formed therein, through which a portion of the dial 13 is exposed, as shown inI Fig. 3, and an arrow 18 on the. front of the casing 7 serves to indicate the range.

The rotation of the'drum 9 is transmit-- ted to an operating rotative shaft 19 through rectifying means, whereby the shaft 19 instead of being rotated variable angular distances for uniform increments of range, as are the drum 9 and the wormgear 6, is rotated uniform angular distances lor uniform increments of range throughout the working portion of the scale. These rectifying means comprise -two spirals, one on the drum 9 and the other on the operating member 19, which operate two followers arranged in joint 'control of the power device for rotating the operating member 19. The two spirals are so `formed that the rotation of the drum for a distance corresponding to a given increment of range at any part of the scale will always cause the operating member 19 to be rotated a uniform angular distance to bring its follower into a predetermined position relative to the follower controlled by the spiral on the drum 9.

As shown, the spiral on the drum l9 is a variable cam groove 20 which is so formed that a pin 21, which engages in the spiral groove and is carried by a pla-te attached to a longitudinal slidable follower or traveling member 22, will always be moved the same longitudinal distance by the angular movement of the drum 9 for a. distance corresponding to a given increment of range at any part of the scale.

At one end of the drum the turns of the groove are relatively close together to compensate for theV relatively large angular movement of the angle-measuring device at short ranges, and the turns of the spiral are progressively farther apart along the drum to compensate for the decrease in the angular movement at longer ranges. In other words, the cam groove 2() is so formed mathematically that the axial movement or movement of translation -of the' traveler 22, which is imparted by the anfgular movement of the cam groove 20, is uni orm for a given increment of range anywherey within the limits of the range finder. The traveler 22 slides upon and is guided by the squared rod 23 of bronze or other conductive material, which extends parallel to the drum 9 and is supported at its ends by insulated arms 24 secured to the rear wall of the casin 7.V

The operating member 19 is a s iaft ot conductive material arranged below. the rod 23 and parallel thereto and rotarily bearing in the end walls operating member has uniform screw threads formed upon it, which serve to propel a follower 24 mounted upon it, the follower 24 having screw threads engaging upon those of the member 19, and being held against rotation by sliding engageof the casing 7. ThisI ment with a longitudinal bar 25 provided with suitable supports (not shown) at its i ends in the walls of the casing. The traveling member l22 and the follower 24 cooperate to control two slidable contacts 26 and 27 which are slidably mounted upon two squared conductive parallel longitudinal rods or shafts 28 and 29, respectively, supported at their ends on insulated arms 30 and 31l attached to the rear wall of the casing 7. These slidable contacts 26 and 27 are engaged by coiled springs 32 and 33 which surround their respective shafts and tend to hold the slidable contacts against the follower 24. The traveler 22 and the follower 24 are both of conductive material, the former being insulated from the plate carrying the pin 21, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The operating memberv 19 is driven by an auxiliary operating series motor 34 through the pinion 35 on the. armature shaft, and thegear wheel 36 upon the member 19. The motor 34 is provided with two oppositely wound field coils '37 and 38, Fig. 7 and these are respectively connected to the insulated rods 28 and 29, and through them to slidable contacts 26 and 27, respectively. The arrangement of oppositely wound coils as above is well known andk enables the motor to be operated in either direction of rotation by energizing the corresponding coil.

The generator .G is connected to-the field coils 37 and 38 vin multiple, one terminal being connected to the brush 39 through the .wire 40, and the other terminal being grounded, and the operating member or screw 19 being grounded, ground being indieated by the line g in Figure T. It therefore will be seen that if neither of the con; tact members 26 and 27 is in contact with the follower' 24, neither of the field coils of the motor 34 will be energized and there V will therefore be no movement of the armature. If the drum 9 be rotated to move the traveling member 22 to the right, the movement of the member 22 `will push the slidy able contact 26 along the rod 28 and contact 27 will be forced bythe spring 33 to engage contact 24 to energize;v the field coil 38I through the member 19, follower 24, contact 27, rod 29 and wire 42. Similarly, if the drum 9 be rotated to move the traveler 22 toward the left, contact 26 will engage Contact 24 to energize coil 37 through'the operating member 19, follower 24, contact 26, rod 28, and wire 43. The energizing of the coil 37 will operate the motor 34 and rotate the operating screw 19 in the right 4direction to propel the. follower 24 toward the right until it again breaks contact with the contact member 27, the vcontact member 26 being in the meantime held against the follower 24 by the spring 33. Similarly, the energizing of the coil 38 will cause the willalso be propelled the same uniform distance for the same given increment of range, and that the operating member 19 is'always, therefore, rotated the same angulardistance to propel the follower 24 through the uniform. movement to restore its predetermined positlon relative to the traveler 22, and thus A may be used for both purposes.-

stop the motor 34. It is immaterial how.A

far ahead of the follower 24 the traveling member 22 may be adjusted, since the motor 34 will continue to operate until the parts are brought back to their proper relative position, and `the operating member 19l will therefore be driven the proper angular distance corresponding to the adjustment of the angle-measuring device.

It is manifest that the invention is only limited b the requirement that uniform rotations o the' operating member 19 serve to adjust the follower 24 the same distance as the traveler 22 is adjusted for corresponding increments of range. With the arran ement shown, the traveler 22, being `uni ormly driven, may serve as an indicator, and for that purpose might readil co-operate with a linear scale having uni orm graduations. It is also manifest that the invention is not limited to the illustrated operative con. nection between the members 9 and 19, the' essential r uirement bein that the connection be suc placement of the angle measuring device and that of the operating member 19. For an example 'of other connections, reference is made vto my United States Patent No. 1,317,914 issued October 7, 1919.

As shownin Figure 1, the s iral groove on the drum 9 may be continue beyond the upper end of the working scale b a number of closely spaced turns forme without an relation to the ran ey, but which will enab e the operator to give-the drum several turns after the up er endof the working scale has been reac ed, in order to test the v device at infinity position without the followers exceeding the length of the s iral on the operating member 19, which o viously could not be extended to infinity. v

The operatin member 19 may be used to operate an in icator at the ran e-tinding station, or may be' used to transmit the rectified motion to a distantcpoint, or in fact, as shown in the illustrated embodiment,- it yA gear wheel 44 on the operating member 19 meshes with a pinion 45 on the'revolution counter 46, which is exposed throu h a `window in the front ofthe casing, as s own in Figures as to proper y relate the dis-` iaasas 2 and 3. The range finder, as illustrated, has been adjusted to 15,000 yards, and this ran e is indlcated both on the variably driven ial 13 and b the uniformly actuated indicator 46 at t ,e range-finding station.

The lmeans for transmitting the rectified angular motion Vof the operating member 19 to the indicator at the receiving station comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, three electrical contact devices operated Aby the o erati member 19 and selectively contro lingl t-iree ste -by-.stepselector motors arranged in se ective control 4of thel actuatingmotor for the indicator. The three contact devices are of similar construction -and comprise -three pairs of oppositel v polarized slip4 rings 47* and 47",

,'48 an 48h, and 49* and 49", respectively.

These contact devices are mounted upon the operating member 19, upon a rotative shaft V and upon a' rotative shaft 51, respectively, the two latter shafts being arranged in alinement underneath and parallel to the operating member 19. The shaft 50 bears at one end in the side Wall of the casing 7, being thus grounded, its other end bearing 1n -an upsta-nding arm 52 attached to the bottom of theA casing; and the shaft 51-bears at its oppositeJ ends in the upstanding arm 452 and 1n a similar upstanding arm 53. The slip rings of each pair are insulatedI from each other andhave a segmental lateral extension, the contact segments yof each air overla ping in the same transing substantially diaverse p ane and metrically opposed to each other, the respective contact segments being indicated by the 'characters 47" and 47" 48" and 48"', and 49" and 49. The slip rings 47 48, 49, and their respective contact seg ments, are polarized by brushes 47, 482

and 49", respectively, which are connected in multiple to the conductor 40, and the slip rings 47", 48" and 49h and their respective segments are unded by contact with their respective s afts. This 'is' indicated in the dlagram .of Fi re 7 by connecting the brushes 49, 50 an 51 which leadfrom the respective slip rings to `ground wire g.

The@ contact segments on the o Arating member 194 are rotated at the spe l of the o rating member, being Icarried! by it, w e the contact segments on the shaft 50 are driven at one-tenth of the speed of the lfirst pair, through the` pinion 54 on the operating member 19 and gear wheel 55 on the shaft 50,-which meshes with the pinion 54; and the contact segments on the shaft 51 are driven at one-tenth of those on` the shaft 50, through the pinion 56 on the shaft 50, gear wheel 57 on the counter shaft 58,A pinion 59 on the shaft wheel 60 on the shaft 51.

(lo-operating with each vpair of contacts of each contact device is a set of five brushes,

58 and gear lili) those of the high speed contact device being marked respectively, h1, h2, h3, h* and h1", those of the intermediate contact device being marked respectively, 1, i2, '113, i* and i, and those of the third or low speed contact v device on the shaft 51 being marked respectively Z1, Z2, Z3, Z* and Z5. Thebrushes of each set are arranged circumferentially around their respective contact segments so as to successively engage the respective'segments, and they are so spaced that not more than two brushes can engage one segment at a time, and so that when one segment is engaged by two brushes the complementary segment can only. be engaged by the one brush directly opposite the first two, as shown` in the diagram of .Figure 7.

The brushes of each set are connected to the five field coils of' a step-by-step selector motor located at the receiving station, the three selector motors whichare controlled by the high, intermediate and low speed contact devices beingmarked H, I and L, respectively, and the five field coils of the respective step-by-step motors being marked H1, H2, H3, H* and H3, and I1, I2, I3, I* and I, and L1, L2, L3, L* and L5, in the order in which they are connected to the brushes similarly designated.` The five field coils are connected in' multiple, as in the usual step-by-step motor, and the armature WindingA is connected to two slip rings 61 and 62 on the armature shaft, which are polarized by brushes 63 and 64, electrically convnet-ted with the terminals of the generator,

the latter being grounded as indicated by the reference character g in Figure 7, and

I .the former being .connected to the conductor-. The slip ring 62 of each selector motor is electrically connected with the rotative contact H", I and L, respectively, on

, shaft.

the opposite end of the'respective armature It is now apparent that the armature of each selector motor will be .rotated by the rotation of the operating member 19, for the same angular distance and at' thesame angular speed that their respective contact segments at the range-iinding station are rotated, and consequently, that the rotative contact devices H, Iand L*1 will be correspondingly rota-ted, that is to say, the rotative contact H6 will be rotated at the same uniform speed and for the, same unifor'mi distances for a given increment of range' that the operatin device 19 is rotated, while the contact mem er'I3 will-be rotated only one-tenth that distance in the same time, and the-contact member L only `1/100 of lthat angular distance in the same time. 'These `contact members selectively control lthevac tuating movement of the actuating motor for the indicator at the receiving station,

as will now-be described. u

The three selector step-by-step` motors H,

in Fig. 7, and the selective contacts H, I

and L areA adapted to have electrical con- A nection with one or the other of the coils 1 70' and 71, so as to properly selectively control the operation of the actuating motor. Stub shafts 7211, 721, 721, are arranged in alinement with the armature shafts of the respective selector motors, and are cnnected by suitable gearing to be'driven at proper4 speeds b be descri Aed hereinafter. These stub shafts have two slip rings upon them 7311 and 7 411. 731 and 7 41, and 731 and 741 respectively, and the slip rings on each stub shaft are electrically 'connected to two brushes 7 511 and 761', 7 51 and 761, and 751 and 761, respectively. The two brushes 75 and 7611, etc., of 'each pair are arranged in the ath of the res ective rotative contact mem rs H,.I an L'1 of their respective selector motors, each contact member being of a length 'slightly less, say 18, than the distance between the cooperative pair of brushes. The two slip rings on each stub shaft are en ged by two brushes 771 and 7811, 771` and 781, 771 and 781, respectively, which brushes arel electrically connected with the field coils 70 and 71, 'respectively, of the actuating motor through line wires 79 and 80. The line wire 79 northe actuating motor 66, as will mally connects the field 70 to brush' 7711 g which will be hereinafter referred to. -When these coils are unenergized the contact 791 and contact 791. are upon theirl back contacts and closevthe circuit to the brush 771': AWhen, however, the coil" R3 is ener ized the vcontact 79 disconnects the brush 711 from the coil 70 and connects the brush 771. In the same manner, when the coil R2 is energized the contact 791 disconnects both brushes 7711 andv771 of the other twotransmitters and connects brush 77 to -the field 70 of the motor; or in other words, the brush 7 71 is normally connected to the motor and upon the successive energizations of coils R3 and R3 the brushes 771 and 771 are vsuccessively connected to the field coil wlth the other brushes being simultaneously disconnected. In the same manner the brushes is controlled by relay contacts 801 and 801 controlled by relay coils R1 and R.

The motor L has two relays R1 and R1 connecting the brushes 771 and 781, respec ment connects the brushes 771 and 781 into,

the lines 79 and 80. The motor I has two similar relays R3 and R4 connected to the` respective brushes 771 and 7 81, and connected to the opposite terminal of the generator through the branch circuit 811 and 40. These relays R3 and R4 control two contact fingers 791 and 801 in the lines 79, and 80, respectively, and when raised these contact fingers connect the respective brushes 771 and 7 81 into the lines 79 and 80. IVhen the relays of both the receiver motors I and L are (le-energized, the contact fingers controlled by both motors in the lines 79 and 80 assume their normal sition, as shown in Figure 7, and close t e lines 79 and 80 leading to the brushes 771l and 781 of the motor H. This is true because the circuit for the relays R1, R2, R1 and R* are controlled by a circuit which includes the contact L'1 and contact I". The circuit for the relay R1 is as follows: fro`m the generator G to line wire 40, line wire 40', wire 811, relay R1, brush 781, slip ring 741, brush 751, contact L, wire 100, to slip ring 62 of the receiver motor L, brush 64 to the round wire g and. it will therefore be seen t at the .relay R1 is only energized as long as brush 751 remains in contact with contact L. The circuit for 'the relays R', R1, and R* is similar and neednot be described. The brushes 751I and 761l on the stu shaft .7211 are rotated by theI motor 66 through the pinion 82 on the armature shaft and the gear wheel 83 on the stub shaft 7211. The brushes 7 51 and 761 are rotated by the motor 66 at one-tenth of the speed of the corresponding brushes of motor H, through the reducing gearing consisting of the pinion 84 on the stub shaft 721" L and the gear wheel 85 on 'the stub shaft 721; and the brushes 751 and 761 are driven by the motor 66 at one-tenth of the speed of the corresponding brushes of the motor I, through the reducing gearing consistin of the pinion 86 on the stub shaft 721 an( the gear wheel 87 on the -stub shaft 721. The operation of the selector motors will be understood from the followingz-Let to effect an angular movement of the rotative contact L for 1/20 of the lcomplete rotation in either direction, it will bring the contact L in contact with either the brush 751 or 761. As soon as the rotative contact L6 engages the brush, the corresponding field coil 70 or 71, is energized and the motor is caused to rotate in the corresponding direction. This rotation of the motor will rotate the stub shaft 72l through the connection previously described and as shown in Figure 4, and this rotation of the stub shaft 721 will rotate the brushes 751 and 761 in the same direction as the rotative con'tact L6 is being rotated, and will tend to rotate the brush which is in engagement with the contact L off` the contact. The motor 66 will therefore continue torotate and drive the indicator 67 until the brush 751 or 7 61 is rotated off thc contact L", when the relay R1 or R2, whichever one was energized, will be de-energized, and the contacts 791 and 801 will be dropped, and if either of the brushes 751 or 761 are in contact with the rotative contact I6 of the motor I, the contact fingers 791 and 8,01 will.be picked up anda-the motor"66 will be energized through "this connection, and will continue to rotate the stub shaft 7 21 until the brush 7 51 0r 7 61 is cleared from the contact I which will cause the de energization of either relay R1 or R1. The contact fingers 791 and 801 will then be dropped and the connection of the brushes 7711 and 781J to the field coils 70 and 7l of the actuating motor will be completed, and the actuating` motor will be energized through either the. brush 7511 or 7611 if" the contact H is in engagement'with either one of these brushes, and the motor 66 will continue to rotate until the brush on thel stub shaft 7211 is cleared of the contact Il Thus, it will be seen that the selector motor will operate the actuatingr motor 66 through the increments of range exceeding 1,000 yards, thisbeing 1/20 of the range measured when the contact LG is turned through a complete rotation, and for the same yreason the selector motor I will operate the actuating motor 66 through a measurement of range from 100 to 1,000 yards, and the selector motor H will operate the actuating motor through increments comprising members, one having operative connection 1,5ee,sas

of ran e under 100 yards.

It -will further be noted that the action at the receiving station is entirely automatic and self-synchronizing, and that if the operating member 19 is turned so rapidly that the rotative contacts of the selector motors get ahead of the brushes on the stub shafts` operated by the actuating motor 66, the actuating motor will nevertheless continue to operate until it has been synchronized with `the adjustment of the transmitting station, and any temporary error in reading, due to excessive speed in operating the transmitter or to the temporary failure-et electrical power, is immediately corrected automatically upon the resumption of normal speed and power supply.

In operation, the operator looks through the opening 2 and turns the handle. 12 until `the two partial images formed by the range finder are brought into coincidence, when he pushes the button 88, and if the automatic parts have properly adjusted themselves and the range is correctly indicated at the receiving station, a lamp 89 will be lighted in the casing at the re-V ceiving station, through the following circuit: from ground g through the operating member 19, follower 24, spring contact member 24 carried thereby, contact projection 22 on the traveler 22 co-operating with the spring ,contact 24', traveler l22, rod 23, push button 88, wire 40 including movable contact linger 90, and wire 40 to the other terminal of the generator. The contact finger 90 is controlled by a solenoid 91 in series with the actuating motor 66. and is biased to closed position but is pulled open by the solenoid 91 when the actuating motor is energized. This prevents the circuit through the lamp from being closed until the actuation of the motor 66 is completed and the indicator at the receiving station is synchronized with that of the transmitting station.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described, within the principle and scope of my'invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with the angle measuring 4device of a range finder including a 'movable member whose displacements are put of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range indicating ,mechanism two rotative spiral-bearing with" an indicator and the other having operative connection with vthe said movable member and being movable in direct proportion therewith, actuating means for one of the spiral-bearing members, and transmitting mechanism connecting the two spiral-bearing members and arranged under the joint control of the two spirals, the twov spirals being so shaped that the first spiral-bearing member is displaced in direct proportion to the range.

2. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range indicating mechanism comprising a rotative drinn having a spiral thereon and operatively connected with the movable member, an indicator-controlling' rotative member having al spiral thereon, a traveling member arranged to be moved by one of the spirals, and a co-operative follower movable. by the other spiral, the two spirals being so -formed that the follower4 moves with the traveling member when the rotating member rotates in direct proportion to the range.`

3. In combination with the angle measiiring device of a range nder includingla movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range indicating mechanism comprising a drum operatively related to the movable member'and arranged to have rtative movement in direct proportion to that of the movable member'- and having a spiral thereon, an indicator-controlling rotative member having a spiral thereon, a traveling` member movable ,by one of the spirals and a co-operative follower 11ember arranged to be moved by the spiral, means for manually rotating one of ther i the spiral bearing members, a power device for rotating the other spiral bearing meniber, and means for operatively connecting v the power device when the traveling member, the latter spiral bearing member and the follower member are displaced from predetermined relative'l positions. i

4. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range indicating mechanismI comprising a drum member operatively related to the movable member and arranged to have rotative movement in direct lproportion to that of the movablev member and having a spiral thereon, an indicator-controlling rotative member having a spiral thereon and having displacements in direct proportion to the changes vof range, manually, controlled means for rotating one of the spiral-bearing. members, and means operatively connecting the two spiral-bearing members including driving mechanism for the other spiral-bearing members andcontrolling means for the driving mechanism movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range-indicating mechanism comprising a drum related to the movable member so as to have rotative movement in direct proportion to' the movement of the movable member and having a variable spiral cam thereon, a traveling member engaging the cam and movable linearly' as the drum is rotated, the cam on the drum being so formed that the traveling member moves in direct proportion to the range, an indicator-controlling rotative member having' a uniform spiral thereon, a follower member engaging therewith and linearly movable thereby as the rotative member is rotated, a power device for rotating the rotative member, and means for operating the power device when the traveling and follower members are displaced from predetermined relative positions.

6. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member Whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range indicating mechanism comprising a drum related to the movable member so as to have rotative movement in direct proportion to the movement of the movable member and having a variable spiral cam thereon, a traveling member engaging the cam and movable linearly thereby as the drum is rotated, the cam on the drum being so formed that the traveling member is moved in direct proportion to the range, an indicator-controlling rotative member having a uniform spira thereon, a follower member engaging therewith and linearly `movable thereby as the rotative member is rotated,ian electric motor operatively connected to Vthe rotative member and having two reversely wound eld coils, and means controlled by the follower member for supplying current selectively to the field coils when the traveling and follower members are displaced from predetermined relative positions and thereby operate the motor in the proper direction to movey the Jfollower member to the said predetermined relative position.

7. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges,.a range transmitting system comprising a rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member o erative to cause a differential movement o the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, an indicating device, `actuating means for the indicating device. and means controlled by the rotative operating member for operating the actuating means.

8. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the changes of range, a range transmitting system comprising a rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member operative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a stepby-step motor controlled by the operating .member, and an indicating device controlled bythe `step-by-step motor.

9. In combination with the angle measur- 'ing device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are outof direct proportion to -the changes of range, a range transmitting system comprising-a rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member operative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a plurality of step-by-step selector motors, means controlled by the operating member for operating the successive step-by-step motors at progressively higher speed, and an indicating device controlled jointly by the step-bystep motors.

10. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range transmitting system comprising a rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member operative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device` .an electric circuit for the motor. a rotative contact member in the circuit controlled by the rotative ope ating member, and a cooperative rotative 'contact member controlled b v the motor,

'whereby the actuativc rotation ot the motor is proportioned to the rotation ot' the operating member.

11. In combination'with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges,a range transmitting system comprising a rotative operatingmember, rectitying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating memberoperative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the lindicating device having two reversely wound field coils, an electric circuit for the motor, a rotative contact member in the circuit controlled by the rotative operating member, and two rotative brush members controlled by the motor and co-operative with-the contact member, one brush member being connected with each field coil'.

12. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of directproportion to the corresponding ranges, a range transmitting system comprising a rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member operative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device, a step-bystep motor controlled by the rotative operating member, an electric circuit for the actuating motor, a rotative contact member in the circuit controlled by the step-by-step motor, and a co-operative rotative contact member controlled by the motor, whereby the actuating motor is rotated proportionately to the step-by-Step motor.

13, In combination with the angle measuring device-of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges,a range transmitting system comprising a rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member operative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements coil. Y

14. A distant control system comprising a rotative operating member, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device, an electric circuit for the motor, a lurality of rotative selective contact mem ers in the circuit, the successive contact members being controlled by the operating member and rotative at progressively higher angular velocity, a corresponding number ot co-operative rotative contact members in the circuit, controlled by the motor and connected in multiple to the field of the motor and one co-operating with each of the selective contact members, whereby` the motor is operated selectively by each selective. contact member in proportion to the unitI represented by a complete rotation thereof.

l5. A distant control system comprising a rotative operating member, Aan indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device having two reversely wound field coils, an electric circuit for the motor, a plurality ofrotative selective contact members in the' circuit, the successive contact members being controlled by the operating member and rotative at progressively higher angular velocity, a corresponding number of pairs of rotative. brushes operated by the motor, one brush of each pair being connected in the circuit with each field coil and each pair of brushes vbeing cooperative with one of the selective contact members, whereby the motor is operated selectively by each selective contact member in"proportion to the unit represented by a complete rotation thereof.

16. A distant control system comprising a rotative operating member, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device, a plurality of stepfbystep selector motors, means controlled by the operating member for operating the successive step-by-step motors at progressively higher speed, an electric circuit v:tor the actuating motor, a lura'lity of rotative selective contact mem ers connected in multiple in the circuit, one contact member being operated by each step-by-step motor, a corresponding number of rotative brushes in the circuit operated by the actuating motor and connected in multiple to the field thereof and one brush co-operating with each of the selective contact members, whereby the actuating motor is opera-ted selectively by each selective contact member in proportion to the unit represented by'a complete rotation thereof.

17. A distant control system 'comprising a rotative operating member, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device having two reversely wound field coils, a plurality of step-by-step selector motors, means controlled by the operating member vfor operating the Succes- -sive step-by-step motors at progressively higher speeds, an electric circuit for theactuating motor, a plurality of rotative selective contact members connected in multiple in the circuit, one contact member being operated by each step-by-step motor, a corresponding number of pairs of rotative brushes operated by the actuating motor, one brush of each pair'being connected in the circuit with each field coil and each pair of brushes being co-operative with one of the selective contact members, wh'ereby the actuating motor is operated selectively b each Selective ycontact member in proportion to the unit represented by a complete. rotation thereof.

18. A distant control s stem comprising a rotative operating mem er, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicating device, a plurality of step-by-step selector motors, a corresponding number of pairs of op sitely polarized rotative contact segments, t e successive pairs -of contact segments being rotated by the operating member at progressively higher speeds, a set of stationary brushes co-operating with each pair of contact segments and one set of brushes being electrically connected with each step-by-step motor, an electric circuit for the actuating motor, a plurality of rotative selective contact members connected in multiplevin the circuit, one contact member being operated by each step-by-step motor, a corresponding number of rotative brushes in the circuit operated by the actuating motor and connected in multiple to the field thereof and one brush co-operating with eachl of the selective contact members, whereby the actuating motor is operated selectively by each selective contact member in proportion to the unit represented by a complete rotation thereof.

19. A distant control system comprising a .rotative o rating member, an indicating device, an e ectric motor for actuating the indicatin device having two reversely wound lie d coils, a plurality of step-by-step selector motors, a corresponding number of pairs of oppositely polarized rotative contact segments, the successive pairs of contact segments being rotated by the 4operating member atprogressively higher speeds, a set of stationary brushes co-operating with each pair of contact segments and one set of brushes being electrically connected with each step-by-step motor, an electric circuit for the actuating motor, a corresponding number of pairs of rotative brushes operated by the motor, one brush of each pair being connected in-the'- circuitrwith each field coil and each pair of brushes being cooperative with one of the selective contact members, whereby the actuating motor is operated selectively by each selective contact member in proportion to the unit represented by a complete rotation thereof.

20. Ign combinatlon with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movab e member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range transmitting stem comrislng a rotative operating mem er, rectifymg transmitting means between the movable the actuative rotation of the motor is proportioned to the rotation of the operating member. f

21. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range I transmitting system comprising a rotativev operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operatingl member operative to, cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, an indicating device, an electric motor for actuating the indicatin device having two reversely Wound ieltgi coils, an electric circuit for the motor, a rotative contact member in the circuit controlled by the rotative operating member, and two rotative brush members controlled by 'the motor and cooperative with the contact member, one brush member being connected with each field vcoil. i

22. In combination with the angle measuring device of a range finder including a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, 'a range transmitting system comprising a .rotative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member and the operating member operative to cause a ditferential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, an electric motor for actuatingthe lindicating device, a plurality of selector motors, means controlled by the operating member for ,operating the successive selector motors at progresslvely higher speed, an electric circuit for the actuating motor, a plurality of rotative selective contact members connected in multiple in the circuit, one contact member being operated by each selector motor, a corresponding number of rotative brushes in the circuit operated by the actuating motor and connected in multiple to the field thereof and one brush co-operating with each of the selective contact members, whereby the actuating motor'is operated selectively by each selective contact member in -proportion to the unit of rangerepresented by a complete rotation thereof.

23. In combination -with the angle measuring device of a range iinderincluding a movable member whose displacements are out of direct proportion to the corresponding ranges, a range transmitting system coniprising ai'otative operating member, rectifying transmitting means between the movable member'and the operating member operative to cause a differential movement of the two members, whereby the displacements of the operating member are in direct proportionto the corresponding ranges, an electric motqrforiactuating the indicating device having two reversely wound field coils, a plurality of 'step-by-stepselector motors, means controlled by the operating member for operating n the successive step-b -step motors 'at progressively higher spee s, an electric circuit for the actuating motor, a plurality of rotative selective contactmemers connected in multiple in the circuit, one contact member being operated by each step-by-step motor, a corresponding number of pairs of rotative brushes operated by the actuating motor, one brushof each pairbein connected in the circuit with each ield coil and each pair of brushes being co-operative with one of the selective contact members, whereby the actuating motor is operated selectively by each selective contact member in proportion to the unit of range represented by a complete rotation thereof.

24. In a distant control system, a plurality of transmitters, a receiver motor' elec-l trically connected to each of said transmit-v ters, a motor, a plurality of circuits therefor, a contact device associated with each receiver motor, and means controlled by the contact devices for selectively establishing the motor circuits through the contact devices. s

25. In a distant control system, a plurality of transmitters, a receiver motor elec-- trically connected4 to each of said transmitters, a motor, a plurality of circuits therefor, a contact device associated with each receiver motor andv actuated jointly thereby and by the motor, and means controlled by the contact devices for selectively establishing the motor circuits through the contact.

devices.

26. In a distant control system, a plurality of transmitters; a receiver motor electrically connected to each of said transmitters, a motor,v a plurality of circuits therefor, a contact device associated with each receiver motor, and relays .controlled by the contact devices for selectively establishing the motor circuits through the contact devices.

'27. In a distant control system, a plurality of transmitters adapted to be driven at different speeds, a receiver motor connected to each of said transmitters, Ya motor, a plurality of circuits therefor, a contact device associated with each receiver motor and relays controlled by the contact devices for successively establishing the motor circuits through the contact devices, said relays being arranged to cause the motor circuit concontact devices, and means Aconnected to theY fixed contact devices for selectively controlling the motor circuits and connecting them to the fixed contactdevices. 4

29. AIn a distant control system, a plurality of transmitters, a receiver motor lectrically connected to each of the transmitters and' provided with a rotary contact member, a motor, electric circuits for the motor, a plurality of movable contact devices coacting with each contact member and actuated by the motor, a plurality of lixed contact devices coacting with the movable contact devices, and relays including armatures in the motor circuits and windings connected rto the fixed contact devices for selectively controlling the motor circuits and connecting them to the fixed contact devices in parallel with the windings.

In witness whereof I subscribe my signature in the presenceof two witnesses.

HANNIBAL C. FORD. Witnesses:

Vieron D. Boiis'r, MARY G. HART.

vioo 

